Means for setting devices at predetermined levels in well casings and tubings



. O. HAMMER MEANS FOR SETTING DEVICES AT PREDETERMINED LEVELS IN WELL CASINGS AND TUBINGS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 30, 1939.

\ Filed March 2 3, 1938 fZGu J 1220914501 0770 dam/5e 5 WWW I Azazzzgs Y May 30, 1939; o. HAMMER 3 2,160,357

MEANS FOR SETTING DEVICES A'I' PREDETERMINED LEVELS IN WELL CASINGS AND TUBINGS Filed March 23, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I flzv anaz I] u I 027-0 6141/4/59 III I] 11 AW 1471mm v .Attczz-m .9

V Patented May 30, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MEANS FOR SETTING DEVICES AT PREDE- TERMINED LEVELS IN WELL CASINGS AND TUBINGS Otto Hammer, Whittier, Calif., assignor to Sccurity Engineering 00., Inc., Whittier, Calif., a. corporation of California Application March 23, 1938, Serial No. 197,630

8 Claims. (01. 166-10) This invention relates to a means for setting various devices at predetermined levels in well casings and tubings. when seated or positioned, will resist upward In oil wellsthere is frequently occasion to set force apt to be present in the case "of gassy or various devices at a predetermined level in a heaving wells, and which will adequately support 5 well casing or tubing. Such devices may be of the device in the casing or tubing and retain it various characters, such as for example casing against dropping therethrough. packers, liner hangers, cement plugs, cementing With the foregoing and other objects in view, devices, and the like. which will be made manifest in the following de- 10 An object of the present invention is to provide tailed description and specifically pointed out in 10 an improved mechanism, part of which may be the appended claims, reference is had to the installed or incorporated in a casing or tubing accompanying drawings for an illustrative emprior to its being lowered into the well, this bodiment of the invention, wherein: part being arranged so as to be disposed at the Figure 1 is a vertical section through a well I predetermined level. The engaging part which casing illustrating the present invention as being 15 engages therewith is attachable to the. device incorporated therein and seated at the predethat is to be set and is lowered thereafter through termined level, the device seated at the predethe casing or tubing until it engages the part termined level being illustrated as a casing packthat is incorporated in the casing or tubing, and er;

thus sets the device, whatever may be its char- Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the well 20 acter, at the desired predetermined level. casing illustrating the internal construction em- More specifically, it is an object of the presbodying the invention in side elevation; ent invention to provide a means for setting de- Fig. 3 is a vertical section through a portion of vices at predetermined levels in casings or tuba well casing illustrating a slightly modified form ings which is so constructed as to preserve the embodying the invention as having been applied full internal diameter of the casing or tubing. to a suitable liner hanging type 'of construction;

In this manner there is no inwardly extending and ledge or shoulder projecting inwardly in the cas- Fig. 4 is a vertical section through a portion ing or tubing to interfere with subsequent operof a well casing illustrating the invention as havw ations. ing been applied to a cementing apparatus.

Another object of the invention is to provide Referring to the accompanying drawings, and a. means for setting devices at predetermined, pa u y to gs. 1 and 2, th ca o ub levels in casings or tubings which will not only s. as h as m y is n ally d si nat d preserve the full internal size of the casing or at I. It is formed or made up of plurality tubing but which will not increase the external 0 d g u n Sections l, usually Connect- 5 size .of the casing or tubing to any material exed y co a s Normally, there is a Small ap, tent, if at all, and will not weaken the casing h s is illustrated at l3, be w n th adj or tubing, cent ends of adjacent tubing or casing sections. Another object of the invention is to provide The device embodying the present invention Lo a means for setting devices at predetermined consists of a. suitable collar ll threaded as at 40 levels in casings or tubings comprising a seat or IE at both ends to provide for its incorporation recess-providing member adapted to be incorin the string of casing or tubing at the desired porated in the casing or tubing at the predeterlevel. This collar is relatively long, as compared mined level and an expanding means adapted to with the casing collar l2, and its external diambe lowered through the casing or tubing in a eter is only slightly in excess of the external dicontracted condition and which is designed to ameterof the casing collars II. It has a relaexpand into the recess of the seat-providingmemtively long or high internal annular recess l6 her. The expanding means is so constructed formed therein and the balance of the exposed that it will not become caught in the gaps that interior surface of collar I4 is preferably so ar- 0 are normally present between adjacent ends of ranged so as to preserve the full internal diamadjacent casing sections, but instead, will easily eter of the casing or tubing. In other words, colslide over such gaps until the recess of the seatlar M does not present any inwardly extending providing member is encountered. portion projecting inwardly into the casing or Another object of the invention is to provide a tubing which would be apt to interfere with sub- 5 means for setting devices at predetermined levels sequent operations. It will be noted that the in casings and tubings which is of extremely simple yet highly durable construction and which is adequately strong.

Still a further object of the invention is to 9 provide a means for setting devices at predetermined levels in casings or tubings having the above-mentioned characteristics and which,

height of the recess I6 is considerably greater than the gap indicated at l3. The collar is intended to be incorporated in the casing or tubing prior to its being introduced into the well and at the desired or predetermined level at which some device, such as for example a casing packer, liner hanger, cement plug, or any other device, is to be subsequently set.

In Figs. 1 and 2, I have illustrated the construction as being applicable to a casing packer consisting of a suitable mandrel [8 having a beveled shoulder 19 against which there is a lead sealing ring 20. On the lower end of the mandrel there is positioned a packing actuating sleeve 2| presenting an inclined shoulder 22 engageable with the bottom of the lead sealing ring 20. This packing actuating sleeve is held on the mandrel by means of nut 23 and is maintained in its lowermost position during the lowering of the casing packer into the .well by means of a shear pin 24. The shear pin is designed to be sheared off under severe stress.

A plurality of leaf springs 25 are secured to the packing actuating sleeve and extend downwardly and outwardly therefrom. These springs are secured at their upper ends as by screws 26 and cooperate to form an expansible means attached to the casing packer. These springs normally expand outwardly beyond the internal circumference of the casing or tubing and are contracted into the casing or tubing at the time that the casing packer is introduced into the casing.

As clearly shown on Fig. 1, these springs are so bent so that they have protuberances at 21. The lower ends of the springs are bent inwardly of these protuberances so that as the casing pack er or other device is being lowered, the springs will expand against the interior surface of the casing and slide thereon on the protuberances 21. The lower ends of the springs being bent inwardly from these protuberances consequently will not engage or become caught in the gaps l3 as the device descends.

The operation and advantages of the abovedescribed construction are as follows: When collar I4 is incorporated inthe casing or tubing string at the desired level, the springs 25 are attached to whatever device it is desired to lower and set at that predetermined level. In the present instance, they are shown as attached to the packing actuating sleeve of the casing packer. When the packer is lowered into the casing, such as by a string of pipe 28, the springs are contracted into the casing l0. During the lowering,

the protuberances or bends at 21 engage and slide on the internal surface of the casing and keep the bottom ends of the springs disposed inwardly of the internal surface of the casing, so that there is no danger of them becoming caught in gaps l 3.

When the recess I6 and collar I4 is encountered, the springs automatically expand which positions the lower ends of the springs to engage the outwardly and downwardly inclined seat at I! at the bottom of the recess. When the construction is applied to a casing packer as illustrated,

this engagement of the springs 25 with seat I! arrests downward movement of the packing actuating sleeve 2|. The shear pin 24 can then be sheared off and the lead sealing ring 20 can be forcibly expanded between the two inclined shoulder surfaces I9 and 22. If desired, the string of pipe 28 may be detached and removed and to this end, the threaded connection at 29 is preferably a left-hand thread.

In many instances, when occasion requires subsequent removal of the device that has been set, this may be accomplished by merely re-attaching pipe 28 to the mandrel I8. An upward pull will merely cause the springs 25 to contract into the casing from recess I6 and the entire construction may be brought out.

In other instances, in order to assure that the device thathas been set can be readily removed for subsequent operations, the entire construction from the top of the threaded connection 29 to the bottom of mandrel l8 with the exception of the springs 25, may be formed of a readily drillable material, such as the material now known on the market under the trade-name of Securaloy. This material is in the nature of an aluminum alloy. With the parts so constructed, it is possible to remove the entire construction, in the event that it has become frozen or immovably lodged in place, by'drilling up the entire construction, using conventional Well drilling equipment. The springs 25 being formed of steel or other material susceptible of functioning as sturdy springs, merely drop inwardly and fall to the bottom of the well when the balance of the device on which the springs are mounted is drilled out.

I have illustrated the bottom of the mandrel as being internally threaded as indicatedat 3|, for the attachment of a stinger or liner which may be used when occasion requires.

In Fig. 3, a modified form'of construction is illustrated as having been applied to a type of liner hanger. In this form of construction, the casing is generally designated at 35, having incorporated therein the collar 36 provided with a relatively high internal annular recess 31 which is higher than the normal gap between adjacent casing sections. In this form of construction, the collar, as before, preserves the full internal diameter of the casing.

I have illustrated the invention as having been applied to suitable liner hanger 38 from which may be suspended a liner 39. The liner hanger and liner may or may not be formed of a readily drillable material. In this form of construction, springs 40 corresponding to springs 25, are attached to the sides of the liner hanger. Springs 40 extend downwardly from their points of attachment and intermediate springs 4| extend upwardly from their points of attachment. The distance between the tops of the springs 4| and the bottoms of the springs 40 is substantially equal to or slightly less than the height of recess 31. In this form of construction, the device is lowered into the well such as by pipe 42, the

springs being held in contracted position until recess 31 is encountered, thereupon they expand into the recess and lock the liner hanger 38 in position. The springs 40 are sufliciently strong so as to be capable of suspending or supporting any suitable length of liner. The purpose of the upwardly directed springs 4| is to prevent upward movements in the case where the liner hanger is subjected to upward forces as in the case of gassy or heaving wells. In this form of construction, if any precaution must be taken to enable removal of the device, the liner hanger and liner should be formed of readily drillable material.

In Fig, 4, I have illustrated the invention as having been incorporated in a cementing apparatus. In this form of construction, the casing is indicated at 45 and the collar at 46 having its tubular body is a cement valve 53 and beneath the cement valve the body is apertured as at 54. The springs 55 and 56 are similar to springs 40 and 4| and expand into the recess 41 when collar 46 is encountered.

These springs, however, are so constructed or bent that, as the device is being lowered into the casing, the lower ends of springs 55 will not become caught in the gaps in the casing corresponding to gap l3.

When the device is set, as illustrated in Fig. 4, cement is forced downwardly through pipe 49 and flows past valve 53. It isdischarged outwardly through ports 54 and is confined within the collar by packing cups 5! and 52. The cement, consequently, is forced to be discharged outwardly through apertures 48 to cement the casing-in place in the well. In this form of construction, all parts are preferably formed of readily drillable material with the exception possibly of the springs, so that the entire construction may be readily drilled up after the cementingoperation is completed.

From the above-described constructions, it will be appreciated that the collar and springs forming the essential parts of the present invention, may be very readily and easily constructed, and that the springs may be attached to any suitable device that it is desired to lower into a casing and set at a predetermined level therein. The construction is such as to preserve the full internal size of the casing or tubing so that there are no projecting portions to interfere with subsequent operations.

Various changes may be made in the details of construction without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Means for setting a device at a predetermined level in a well comprising a casing or tubing having means providing an internal upwardly facing shoulder, said shoulder being downwardly and outwardly inclined, there being a recess above said shoulder, an expansible means for supporting the device to be set expansible into the recess and engageable with said shoulder.

2. Means for setting a device at a predetermined level in a well comprising a casing or tubing having means providing an internal upwardly facing shoulder, said shoulder being downwardly and outwardly inclined, there being a recess above said shoulder, and downwardly extending spring fingers for supporting the device to set, said spring fingers being expansible into the recess .so as to have their lower ends engageable with the shoulder.

3. Means for setting a device at a predetermined level in a well comprising a casing or tubing having means providing an intemal upwardly facing shoulder, said shoulder being downwardly and outwardly inclined, there being a recess above said shoulder, and expansible means for supporting the device to be set having means engageable with the shoulder and having a protuberance thereabove projecting outwardly beyond the shoulder-engaging portion of the expansible means.

4. Means for setting a device at a predetermined level in a well comprising a casing or tubing having means providing an internal upwardly facing shoulder, there being a recess above said shoulder, and expansible means for supporting the device to be set expansible into the recess so as to be engageable with said shoulder, the expansible means having portions above the shoulder-engaging portions thereof engageable with the interior of the casing or tubing as the expansible means is lowered therein to hold the shoulder-engaging portion out of engagement with the casing or tubing until the expansible means has expanded into the recess.

5. Means for setting a device at a predetermined level in a well comprising a collar adapted to be incorporated in a casing or tubing, said collar providing an internal recess in the casing or tubing of greater internal diameter than that of the casing or tubing, there being an upwardly facing shoulder at the bottom of the recess, and downwardly extending spring fingers for supporting the device to be set, said spring fingers having their lower ends engageable with the shoulder and protuberances thereabove extending outwardly beyond the lower ends and receivable in the recess to permit the lower ends to engage the shoulder.

6. Means for setting a device at a predetermined level in a well comprising a collar adapted to be incorporated in a casing or tubing, said collar providing an internal recess in the casing or tubing of greater internal diameter than that of the casing or tubing, there being an upwardly facing shoulder at the bottom of the recess, and downwardly extending spring fingers for supporting the device to be set, said spring fingers having their lower ends extending downwardly and slightly inwardly so as to provide upper portions which prevent the lower ends from engaging the casing or tubing until the upper portions expand into the recess to permit the lower ends to engage the shoulder.

7. Means for setting a device at a predetermined level in a well comprising a collar adapted to be incorporated in a casing or tubing, said collar providing an internal recess in the casing or tubing of greater internal diameter than that of the casing or tubing, there being an upwardly facing shoulder at the bottom of the recess, and downwardly extending spring fingers for supporting the device to be set, said spring fingers having their lower ends extending downwardly and slightly inwardly so as to provide upper portions which prevent the lower ends from engaging the casing or tubing until the upper portions expand into the recess to permit the lower ends to engage the shoulder, said shoulder being downwardly and outwardly inclined.

8. Means for setting a device at a predetermined level in a well comprising a collar adapted to be incorporated in a casing or tubing, said collar providing an internal recess in the casing or tubing of greater internal diameter than that.

top thereof.

OI'IO HAMMER. 

